Eating with Invisalign is more complicated than it seems. Once you take your trays out to eat, the clock starts ticking. You want to savor your meal but also make sure that you put your trays back in quickly, because a 22-hour wear time is important for the effectiveness of Invisalign treatment. In this article, I’ll be talking about some of my favorite meals that I can eat quickly so I don’t have to spend too much time cleaning and flossing my teeth before putting my trays back in.
Why is it important to eat quickly?
Wait, isn’t it important to enjoy your meals and to eat mindfully? Well, yes. But if you have Invisalign braces, it is important to eat quick, easy meals that don’t require too much flossing. If you have your braces out for too long, you won’t be able to wear your aligners for 22 hours a day. So that’s why I prefer to eat food that allow me to get my aligners in as fast as possible.,
Sandwiches & Wraps
My go-to quick meal is a sandwich or wrap – they only take minutes to prepare and are easy to eat on the go. My favorite sandwich is a classic Peanut Butter & Jelly; it’s satisfying, delicious, and easy to clean up afterwards. For a wrap, I like to make one with hummus and veggies – cucumbers, tomatoes, spinach, etc. Wraps are also great because they travel well – perfect if you’re eating on the run!
Salads
Salads are another great option when you need something fast – plus they’re light and healthy! I like to make salads with whatever produce I have on hand – lettuce or spinach as a base, tomatoes, carrots, cucumbers, avocado slices – all of these ingredients are easy to prepare ahead of time so throwing together a salad takes no time at all. Topping it off with some grilled chicken or salmon adds protein and makes it even more filling!
Smoothies & Shakes
If you prefer something cold and refreshing after taking your trays out but don’t want something heavy or messy that might require extensive cleaning before putting them back in then smoothies/shakes are perfect for you! They can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge until you’re ready for them – just grab one on your way out the door! My personal favorite flavor combination is banana + peanut butter + almond milk but there are endless variations depending on what flavors you like!
Quick meals for your Invisalign Lifestyle!
Eating with Invisalign doesn’t have to be complicated or boring – there’s an endless number of quick meals that won’t take too long to clean up after so you can get your braces back in as soon as possible. Sandwiches/wraps, salads, smoothies/shakes – all these options provide plenty of variety while still being quick enough so you don’t have to spend hours cleaning your teeth before getting your trays back in place. With a little bit of planning ahead of time these meals can become part of an enjoyable lifestyle while wearing Invisalign braces.